Series 13 - Field Notes, Notebooks and Nature DiariesWillis's Diaries and Notebooks

Notebooks used by Willis to record observations, descriptive notes and other scientific data regarding various plant species and geological formations. Some of the notebooks record information gathered during various field trips and excursions, others are practical and laboratory notebooks, and course notes kept during Willis's student days at the University of Melbourne and Victorian School of Forestry (Creswick).

Species of Vascular Plants Collected by J.H. Willis on the Grimwade Expedition and Now Incorporated in the National Herbarium of Victoria.

Originally a notebook entitled 'Catalogue of Stamps' (not part of the field list), commenced 13 September 1924. Willis used this notebook, turned upside down, to record plant lists collected on the expedition.

Notebook 23.5 cm x 17.5 cm and loose notes inserted in inside front cover, including 'The derivations of several Orchid genera (the majority of Tasmanian genera included)'; 'Structural forms in Vegetation'; newspaper clippings containing information and pictures about orchids; and a list 'The following is a chronological list of orchids seen by J.H. Willis for the first time growing in the wild state and in full bloom.'

University of Melbourne Botany Part II Plant Physiology Practical Notebook, 23 cm x 18.5 cm.Inside cover includes pencilled note - 'It is a pleasure to see such thorough work and such good records J.S.P.' (John Stewart Turner)

University of Melbourne Botany for First Year Students Notebook by J.H. Willis. Notebook with black cover covered in brown paper, 24 cm x 18 cm. Also includes information sheet on Part I Excursion, Frankston.

School of Forestry Practical Botany notebook, 24.5 cm x 18.5 cmInscription by Willis in the inside front cover - This notebook was kept by William Lister, former Principal of the Victorian School of Forestry (Creswick) from 1928 until his death in 1973, and was returned by his widow Jean Lister to Willis on 28 May 1975. For many years, William Lister was in the habit of showing this record of Practical Botany to first-year students at the V.S.F., as a standard worth achieving. Includes correpondence from Jean Lister documenting the return of the notebook.

Published by the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre on AustehcWeb, November 2000
With support from Friends of the Botanic Gardens, Norman Wettenhall Foundation, William Buckland Foundation and The Maud Gibson Trust
Listed by Rachel Tropea with Andrea Barnes and Fay Anderson
HTML edition
Updated 15 November 2007
http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/guides/will/WILLS013.htm